Starting Service / New Member-Owner Application

***You are contacting North Western Electric Cooperative located in BRYAN, OHIO. Our service territory is in the northwestern corner of the state of OHIO.***

Please note that we do not accept joint memberships so only one person's information will be entered as the member-owner. You may add an additional contact person on your billing account at any time.

Please do not complete this form if you will not be entering your own name and contact information. This should only be completed by the person who agrees to be legally responsible for the electric service account.

This is the details for the address where you are REQUESTING SERVICE.

APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP AND CONTRACT FOR SERVICE

The undersigned (hereafter called the "Applicant") hereby applies for membership in or is a member of and agrees to purchase electric energy for use at the above listed location (the "Premises") from North Western Electric Cooperative, Inc. (hereafter called the "Cooperative"), upon the following terms and conditions:

1. Applicant, by becoming a member, assumes no responsibility for or any liability for any present or future debts or liabilities of the Cooperative.
2. Applicant will pay, at rates fixed by the Cooperative, for electric energy used at the Premises. In the event Applicant fails to pay for all electric energy previously used, and any other resulting charges and make a deposit in such amount as may be required by the Cooperative.
3. Applicant hereby agrees that $6.30 of the amount paid for electricity each year is for a subscription to the Ohio Cooperative Living magazine. Opting out of receiving the magazine will not decrease the amount of your electric bill.
4. The Applicant will purchase from the Cooperative all electric service to the Premises for as long as the Applicant resides at, owns, or has possession or control of the Premises and agrees to permit access to the Premises for all purposes necessary to operate the electric distribution system of the Cooperative including, but not limited to, the setting of necessary poles and anchors located on the Premises and to allow the cutting down and trimming of all trees and spraying of brush under or near the electric line, and to permit entry in and upon the Premises to remove said Cooperative's property upon termination of this contract.
5. The Agreement is subject to, and the Applicant will comply with and be bound by, all policies of the Cooperative regarding terms and conditions of service, and all rules and regulations as may be, from time to time, adopted by the Cooperative; provided, however, that the Cooperative shall be entitled to change, eliminate or create new policies, rules or regulations in its discretion, without prior notice, which shall supersede all prior policies, rules and regulations.
6. The Cooperative shall not be responsible for the wiring of the Premises and any appliance or other apparatus connected thereto, and the Applicant hereby agrees to indemnify the Cooperative against, and defend the Cooperative from any claim of injury, loss or damage from any alleged defect therein or improper use or maintenance thereof. In no event shall the responsibility of the Cooperative extend beyond the point at which service wires are attached to the meter provided for measuring electricity used on the Premises.
7. The Cooperative shall construct those facilities required, in the sole judgment and discretion of the Cooperative, to provide electric service to the Premises (the "Facilities"). The Cooperative shall have the sole and exclusive discretion as to the appropriate location, design and other specifications of the Facilities.
8. Membership will be effective upon satisfaction of the requirements for membership provided in the Code of Regulations of the Cooperative.

SERVICE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT

Pursuant to Section 4933.17, Ohio Revised Code, North Western Electric Cooperative, Inc. (NWEC) is permitted to require a cash deposit for payment of bills for electric service unless the consumer is a freeholder who is financially responsible or a person who is able to give a reasonably safe guaranty in an amount sufficient to secure the payment of bills for sixty (60) days of service.

Where such deposit remains with NWEC for six (6) consecutive months or more. NWEC will pay interest on the cash deposit at the rate of five percent (5%) per annum; payable at the time of return of the deposit. Such deposit and interest shall be returned minus any unpaid accounts due the Cooperative when consumer either a) terminates service or b) after twelve (12) consecutive months in which service has not been terminated for non-payment and consumer has not had more than two (2) late payments and bill payments are current.

Cash deposits paid by local financial assistance programs/agencies (churches, Community Action, etc.) are accepted on behalf of the consumer and are subject to the same terms as listed above.

RADIO CONTROL SWITCH PROGRAM

The applicant agrees to participate in the Cooperative’s Radio Control Switch Program if the Premises is an existing residence where a switch is installed and operational at the time of this agreement.  The Radio Control Switch (RCS) may be installed within the Premise's wiring that directly leads to the electric water heater for the purpose of reducing the kilowatt demand during system peak load situations.

The applicant understands that there will be no charge for the RCS, its installation, inspection or removal, and the RCS will remain the property of the Cooperative.

The applicant agrees to permit the Cooperative employees and its contractors to come on the Premises at reasonable hours and with prior notice to conduct maintenance and to replace the RCS as necessary. The applicant understands that the RCS is subject to random inspection, upon reasonable notice.

By agreeing to participate in the Radio Control Switch Program, the applicant shall receive a credit per month on their electric bill; however, to receive the credit, it is required that the billed usage is greater than 200 kWh for that month.  The property owner has the right to request the removal of such equipment if they so desire, at which time they will no longer be eligible for the credit.

The applicant also understands that by signing this agreement, it in no way entitles said applicant to any of the Cooperative’s other water heater program benefits and that the Cooperative is not responsible for any damages or repairs to the water heater. 

The applicant understands that the electric water heater will be controlled in a diligent and reasonable manner with minimal inconvenience to the applicant, and that the Cooperative reserves the right to change or end the agreement at any time.